Six and Snow - Corvallis, Montana

New snow.

I am again six years old.

The seduction of untrammeled snow is akin to the fresh possibility inherent in the first page of a brand new notebook - new horizons beckon!

Homestead Memory - Near Gold Creek, Montana

"Memory is a kind of homesickness, and like homesickness, it falls short of the actualities on almost every count." -Ivan Doig, 'This House of Sky', p. 239

Icicled Eaves, Missoula, Montana

I remember a story - possibly a big sister’s bedtime story - about a mysterious winter stabbing murder. Neither murder weapon or murderer were ever found, and there were no clues to aid the investigation - just a small pool of water next to the body in the narrow side yard at the victim‘s home. Well, as you may have deduced by now, the clever solution to this morbid tale is that gradually warming temperatures caused a huge icicle to fall from the eaves - and subsequently impale the victim as they walked along the side of their house. The icicle then inconveniently melted.

I don’t think I slept very well on the heels of that nighttime tale. 
And I’m still very careful while navigating near icicled eaves.

Lariat Jingle, Missoula, Montana

Perhaps you'll have better luck than I at finding a clever lariat quote or poem. Sigh.

Bridle Array, Missoula, Montana

"It excites me that no matter how much machinery replaces the horse, the work it can do is still measured in horsepower.....even in this space age. And although a riding horse often weighs half a ton, and a big drafter a full ton, either can be led about by a piece of string if he has been wisely trained. This to me is a constant source of wonder, and challenge."
- Marguerite Henry

(Thanks to NoBit Bridles for a ponder-inducing quote from one of my favourite childhood authors.)

Praying For Rain, Victor, Montana

August is fire season in western Montana. Smoke blows into the valleys not only from area fires, but also from ones in neighboring states.
Consider a visit later in September, and enjoy clear skies and cool nights.

Farm With A View, Victor, Montana

Spring means yard work - raking, mowing, tidying planting beds - also known as “a great exercise opportunity”. I actually prefer exercise with a built in purpose: a walk that includes conversation with a friend or a useful destination like the library or post office, yard work that yields a visibly completed task, weight lifting while listening to an informative ebook. An extra objective makes for stronger motivation to put down my current book and get moving.

Horse Sense, Missoula, Montana

"I can always tell which is the front end of a horse, but beyond that, my art is not above the ordinary."  ~Mark Twain

The sensitivity of horses to the needs of people is an amazing thing. A few years ago, I went schmoozing at the Chamber of Commerce open house for an new equine therapy program in the Bitterroot Valley, and was amazed at the applications, from business teamwork to developmental challenges. Even without ever being an avid rider, I've always felt more grounded in the company of good horses. Kinda like with good people.

Framed, Missoula, Montana

Walking around a ranch always makes me feel like a kid again, meandering about, never knowing what treasure you might find. Sometimes it was a batch of new kittens, or fresh peas for snacking in the garden, or just the joy of wind blowing your hair and clouds overhead. The open space is full of possibility, if you just take the time to roam a bit.

Classic Country

Another old building with a story untold. Perhaps someone planted the weathered tree with hope set toward future summers when it would shade the doorstep from the evening sun.